Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered
Country (1991) /
Sci Fi-Thriller
MPAA Rated: PG-13 for
violence and mild language Running Time: 113 min.
Cast: William Shatner,
Leonard Nimoy, Christopher Plummer, Rosanna DeSoto, Kim Cattrall,
DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle
Nichols, David Warner, Iman, Mark Lenard, Grace Lee Whitney, Brock
Peters, Leon Russom, Kurtwood Smith, John Schuck, Michael Dorn, Rene
Auberjonois, Christian Slater (cameo) Director: Nicholas Meyer
Screenplay: Nicholas
Meyer, Denny Martin Flinn Review published April 15, 2005
The
Star Trek franchise bounces back from Star Trek V
with a solid effort and a fitting conclusion to the Original Series
film arc. To make sure mistakes weren't made again, the
producers recruited the services of Nicholas Meyer, the director of
arguably the best film in the series, Star Trek II: The
Wrath of Khan. Star Trek VI: The
Undiscovered Country is a well-plotted and efficiently developed
entry in the series, very reminiscent in the feel of "Star Trek: The
Next Generation", which would be directly taking over the franchise in
films after this one concluded.
Star Trek VI draws many parallels to the end of the Cold War
between the United States (represented here by the Federation) and the
Soviet Union (the big bad Klingons). An explosion occurs on the
Klingon moon known as Praxis (an allusion to the nuclear disaster of
Chernobyl), which makes the Klingon race face possible extinction, as
their way of life crumbles, rendering them a superpower no longer
(akin to the breakup of the USSR). The crew of the Enterprise is
called upon to be an escort for Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (Gorbachev
wannabe) to a crucial assembly on Earth.
It's hard for Kirk and co.
to trust the Klingons after so many years of fighting them, so when
two photon torpedoes are shot into the Klingon ship and two men in
Federation gear assassinate many on board, all fingers point to the
only logical culprits, the Enterprise crew. Kirk and McCoy (who
tried in vain to save Gorkon) are put on trial for the disaster,
leaving the remaining crew with little time to coordinate an effort to
clear their names and secure their release before whatever faction
responsible commits more assassinations in response to the peace
process.
Although the script does get a bit
too cute at times in the humor department, there is very little that
the makers of Star Trek VI do wrong. Meyer
brings in strong character development, tie-ins with previous
Star Trek films, gripping action, in-jokes,
well-crafted sets and special effects, and a complex story that brings
intelligence to the forefront. Meyer seems to have a knack for
drawing out a great performance from William Shatner, who had started
becoming far too jovial to take seriously in the last two films.
Here he is commanding and resourceful once again, giving Kirk the
stature and respect he should have to be believable as one of the
great warriors of his time.
Although this is
clearly the last film in the original series, Meyer very smartly never
decides to go for the sentimentality that would mar the previous
"last" film, Star Trek V. Despite never tugging
at our heartstrings, the film still does end with respect for the fans
as well as the actors, and the sadness that comes with a final
adventure comes from within us as viewers, rather than any artificial
manipulations onscreen. It's good to see the crew in top form
once again, and at the same time, it's sad to see them go.
Kirk, Scotty and Chekov would return one
more time in Star Trek
Generations, the first of the "Next Generation"
Star Trek movies.
The
Star Trek franchise bounces back from
